Ray White New Zealand’s 2024 Business Owners Symposium saw 175 Ray White business owners, next leaders and key partners from across the country come together in Christchurch for two action packed days of learning and development.
The crowd heard from a total of 19 speakers, on topics ranging from marketing and technology, to economics and building skills for mental resilience.
The symposium kicked off with a Q&A between Ray White New Zealand chief executive Daniel Coulson and Ray White Group managing director Dan White where they discussed the opportunity for Ray White New Zealand to unlock growth and create value within each business.
“Over the next two days, we will discuss the various aspects of unlocking growth opportunities, and the role that each of us are required to play as leaders within the organisation – across all aspects of our business,” Mr Coulson said.
“Over the next twelve months, our team will be focused on achieving it.”
Ray White New Zealand head of marketing Larissa Tuhaka shared some exciting updates which will elevate Ray White New Zealand’s marketing strategy.
“In the fast-paced world of marketing, staying ahead is crucial,” she said.
“We’re constantly innovating to ensure our marketing platforms and campaigns are not only efficient and seamless, but also position us as the market leader.”
TradeMe chief people officer Annie Brown presented a session on succession and growth. After working in many roles supporting executive teams and companies with leadership, culture, performance, and development, she shared her passion for career progression and the power of team performance.
Attendees participated in three case studies throughout the symposium. Ray White New Zealand auctioneer Ben East took the business owners through a case study of one business’ transformation into a successful auction business. In an area where auctions were not a common method of sale, Mr East used the case study as an example of what is possible when we challenge the ways things have always been done. Ray White Queensland director Tony Warland presented a session on succession and “becoming an enduring business” using Ray White Rockhampton as a case study. Daniel Coulson took the symposium through a case study about unlocking growth potential, focussing on North Shore businesses Ray White Mairangi Bay and Ray White Milford, owned by Shane Coote and Kris Cunningham.
“This is a remarkable story about opportunity, ambition, and momentum colliding to bring about a significant shift in the trajectory of individual and business performance in the highly competitive marketplace of Auckland’s North Shore,” Mr Coulson said.
Renowned economist Tony Alexander provided an economic update for the Ray White network.
“My aim is to help Kiwis make better decisions for their businesses, investments, home purchases, and people by writing about the economy in an easy-to-understand manner,” he said.
Ray White Canterbury zone chair, and owner of four Ray White businesses in North Canterbury, Claire Morris spoke about Ray White Canterbury’s partnership with Canterbury Rugby and the huge value this engagement has brought to the Canterbury Zone and how they have been able to achieve it.
The final speaker of the symposium was James Laughlin who was formerly the mental skills coach for Canterbury Rugby. He spoke about how he applies his understanding of resilience and peak performance to enhance the team’s competitive edge.
“High performance is not one little win or one big sale, it’s about who shows up consistently,” he said.
Ray White Invercargill business owner Anneke Kawau said the symposium was “amazing”.
“I really enjoyed the networking side,” she said.
“I take so much away from meeting other young business owners, it’s incredibly inspirational.
“I’ve taken a lot of notes from the speakers, and it’s given me the confidence to say ‘if they can do it, I can do it.”
Ray White Gisborne director Hamish Harrison said he really enjoyed all the speakers.
“I’ve really enjoyed the case studies and the insights to growth, as well as learning about the direction of current businesses, and the direction in which future business leaders should be looking.
“It’s amazing how much incredible leadership and knowledge we have within our group which we share so freely.”
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Ray White Group
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